Construction Services Start For Alexian Expansion

Construction services have begun for a $175 million master plan at Alexian Bros. Health System in Elk Grove Village.

Preconstruction services have already started for new bed towers, diagnostic/imaging infill, lobby, site utilities, central plant, chapel and existing clinical expansions/renovation to begin construction in August with construction completion scheduled for Aug. 2008.

The master plan includes 417,000 sq. ft. of new construction with an additional 225,000 sq. ft. of renovation. The comprehensive plan will impact virtually every department in the hospital.

The project includes two bed towers featuring 72 medical surgical beds, 48 critical care beds, eight general operating rooms, four open-heart operating rooms and shell space for three 24-bed units in the future.

The overall expansion is estimated to be about $350 million.

Gilbane Building Co. in Chicago is providing preconstruction and construction-management services on the project.

EMCOR Acquires Siemens

Norwalk, Conn.-based EMCOR Group Inc. has completed its previously announced acquisition of Siemens' U.S. Facility Management Services business in Buffalo Grove.

The EMCOR/Siemens team will offer customers building controls, fire protection and security systems, mobile and on-site building operations, maintenance services and facilities management services.

Though the financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed, annual revenues from the Siemens' Facility Management Services business are approximately $53 million. Siemens employs 365 employees. The business provides facilities management services to over more buildings in 18 states across the United States.

First Design-Build Project for CDOT

The Chicago Department of Transportation has reportedly completed its first design-build project, the $7.4 million 18th Street Pedestrian Bridge.

The 1,400-ft.-long walkway, which replaced a previous structure, connects Calumet Avenue to the 17th Street underpass at Lake Shore Drive. It goes over the Metra railroad tracks and under the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority busway.

The project also includes new railroad and vehicular bridges, at-grade busway crossing of the Metra tracks and bus turnaround.

The project was completed in five months, which is one-third the time of similar projects built using the standard design-bid-build method, according to James McHugh Construction Co., a joint-venture member on the project.

McHugh and Riteway Construction Services were selected as general contractors with Knight Infrastructure Inc. as engineer to design and build the bridge. The bridge opened Sept. 25, in time for the Chicago Bears' Sept. 29 home opener at the new Soldier Field.

Industrial Facility Slated for Rochelle

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held recently in Rochelle for a 570,000-sq.-ft. speculative industrial facility for DP Partners.

The 570,000-sq.-ft. building, LCR 570, is being built on a 26.8-acre site in LogistiCenter at Rochelle, an industrial park, that interchanges with two major industrial corridors, Interstate 88 and Interstate 39.

When built, LogistiCenter will accommodate 5,000,000 sq. ft. of distribution and manufacturing facilities including build-to-suits for lease and for purchase.

Park attractions are its access to highways and railways and the reported cost savings of its location. It has access to the U.S. interstate highway system, north/south and east/west, and it is dual served by mainlines of both the Union Pacific Railroad and the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway.

Deerfield-based Kiferbaum Construction Corp. is serving as the general contractor.

Inspector General for Tollway Named

James Wright was named to lead the new Office of Inspector General of the Illinois Tollway, announced Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Wright will be empowered to root out and investigate fraud, waste and mismanagement in the operations of the tollway, its employees and contractors.

He has 22 years of legal and professional experience in the public and private sector and began his career as an auditor.

Danville Steel Acquired

Arcola-based Mid-State Industries LLC will assume ownership of Danville Steel, a producer of steel for construction and other industries.

The transaction will increase Mid-State Industries and Danville Steel's contract and retail sales by providing steel manufacturers with a broadened scope of steel inventory, services and operations. The two companies are now positioned as full- service steel processing and distribution operations.

Danville Steel will maintain its name and continue normal warehousing operations at its present location. Company officials are currently trying to locate another more suitable site in the Danville area.

Diversified Has Name Change

Morton-based Diversified Buildings Inc. has announced its name will change to Core Construction.

The change is not due to new ownership but is intended to provide a better representation of the company's values and vision.

Core also operates in four other states, all outside the Midwest.

Ground Broke for Elgin Medical Office

Groundbreaking ceremonies were recently held for Fletcher M.O.B. Association Inc., a 3-story medical office that will attach to the existing Sherman Family Healthcare Building in Elgin.

The medical office building will be home for several medical practices. It will be built both in precast and glass, including a front entrance canopy. An enclosed walkway will connect to Sherman Family Healthcare facility.

Deerfield-based Kiferbaum Construction Corp. is serving as the general contractor.

Something Cooking At Elgin College

Additions and renovations are planned for Elgin Community College in Elgin.

The project includes a 16,500-sq.-ft. Culinary Arts Facility with 5,000 sq. ft. of additional renovations to the existing property.

Burr Ridge-based Klein Construction Services Inc. was selected as the general contractor on the project. Project completion is scheduled for mid-2004.